Machine for applying wax to can ends



duly 12, 1960 F'led Deo. 26. 1956 E. E. JEREMIAH 2,944,510

MACHINE FOR APPLYING wAx 'ro CAN ENDS 2l Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTo, APL t'. .kein/4H BY {f7/ #Trai/vir July 12, 1950 E. E. JEREMIAH 2,944,510

mama 'Foa APPLYING wAx To cAN Enns Filed Deo. 26. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 im i. Jain/,4H

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United States Patent MACHINE FOR APPLYING WAX T CAN ENDS Earl E. Jeremiah, Pleasanton, Calif., assignor to National Can Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporatlon of Delaware Filed Dec. z6, 1956, ser. No, 630,703V

6 claims. (ci. 11s-233) 2,344,516 Patented July 12, 1960 flank heretofore described, with the result that the effectiveness of the rubber compound may be impaired or the Wax may be dislodged into the beverage, resulting in deleterious effects upon the clarity and flavor.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of an apparatus which is simple in construction and A can end used for beer, carbonated drinks and the like is commonly made of electrolytic tinplate-i.e.steel coated on both sides with a relatively thin coating of tin protected by a coating of enamel. manufactured, the shape of such a can end comprises a circular central panel surrounded by an, annular convex 1 bead (when viewed from the outside) which is in turn surrounded by an annular co'ncave bead. Theouter4 extremity of the concave bead merges with an extended, slightly outwardly diverging ank which terminates in a shallow trough, the` outerY edge of which is inwardly curved. During the course of manufacture of the end, the bottom of the trough is filled ywith a lining compound of rubber or rubberlike material which is dried therein by the application of heat. When the end is seamed onto the flanged can body, the extended flank which has been mentioned ts against Ithe inside of the can body adjacent the anged end thereof.- As the double seaming operation is performed, a severe bending lof thepflanged end of the can body and of the can end and particularly in the regio'nssof the aforementioned trough and flank` occurs. The exing of the metalrmay cause a rupture of the enamel and/or of the tin coating which, with the passage of time, permits corrosive liquid in the can to come in contact. with the steel, with the eventual result that the taste of the beverage is affected and afterr the passage of a prolonged period of time, the can may leak.

The present inventio'nl applies a thin coating of parafiin wax or the like to the aforementioned ilank commencing at the inner edge of the rubber compound in the trough and terminating at the crest of the concave bead. The zone to which the wax is applied is quite critical, inasmuch as the metal and its coatings encounter severe abrasion and working. Y

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to 'provide a coating of wax on the aforementioned flank in a controlled zone in order to provide protection additional to the tin plate and enamel coatings l on the end. One of the features of the invention is the fact that this wax coating is owable and hence protects the underlying v coatings despite considerable distortion and working of the end. j f

Another feature of the inventionis the fact rthat the wax acts as a lubricant during the seaming operation and hence prevents rupture or scratching of therunderlying coatings. l] f lA particular feature of the invention is the fact that the coating is so applied that its Ylocationis carefully controlled and limited tothe precise area where the presenceof the wax is beneficial. wax has been applied to can ends'a spray is employed,

Asl conventionally4 In other devices whereby operation and which may be carefully co'ntrolled to produce the desired coating in the proper location. A particular feature of the invention is the fact that the apparatus may be installed on the discharge end of the compound liner-drier machine and hence the use yof a separate machine and separate conveying and handling equipment is eliminated, inasmuch as the ends enter the `waxing apparatus immediately after leaving the drier.

A still further object and advantage of the invention is the provision of a roll having inserted in its periphery a rubber insert shaped to engage the flank as aforementioned, with means provided to press the can ends against the aforementioned peripheral insert and the further provision of means for transferring melted wax to the insert in such manner that the wax is rolled onto the can end in the precise thickness and in the precisev location desired.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In. the drawings:

, Fig. 1 is'a vside elevation Vof the device;

Fig. 2 is a top plan;

Fig-3l is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View taken substantially along line 5,-5 of Fig. l; n

Fig. 5 isl a sectional View take substantially alo'ng line ss of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view accordance with this invention and portions of the adjacent can showing the can end prior to seaming; and

Fig..7 is a fragmentary sectional view through the peripheral portion of the can end and the adjacent portion of the can bodyzaf-ter seaming.

A-conventional beverage can end 11 is illustrated herein and comprises a central, slightly concave, circular panel 1'2 surrounded by an annular convex bead 13 which is in turn surrounded by and merges into an annular concave bead 14. Continuing from the crest of concave bead 14, the end is formed with a slightly outwardly diverging flank 17 which terminates in a rela-y tively ilat trough 18 elevated considerably beyond the crest 19 vof convex bead 13. The outer edge of trough 18 is formed with an inward curl 21. The bottom of trough 13 is partially filled with a thin coating of rubber or rubberlike liner compound 22 which has been applied in a compound liner machine and dried therein in a compound drier machine, it being understood that in conventional can manufacturing practice, the liner and drier are frequently combined in asingle machine known as a liner-drier.

The can body 23 to which the end is attached corny prises 'a cylindrical body portion 24 yadjacent the end of which inherently splatters wax outside the zone of the which is an voutwardly turned flange 26. y In attaching the end to the body, the end .11 is fir-st placed in position on topof body 23 with the liner compound Z2 in trough lstting on top of flange 26 of body 23. A conventional double-seaming operation, as well understood in the canart, is then performed, causing end A11 and body 23to be distorted to the double seam 27 shown in Fig. 7. As is apparent, the can en d andv even theradjacenty can bodj are subject to scratching, abrasion, ruptureor'other marring of the enamel, either when the end is' placed on the body or when the seaming operation is carried out. The liner compound 22 protects that portion of the end and body with which it comes in contact, but elongated flank 17 of the end andcontiguous portion of 'body l24 ordinarily are not provided with such protection. The present invention applies a thinjcoating'of paratln wax 28 orthe like commencing along a line 29 Latfthe termination of the yliner compound and terminating at crest n16 of concave bead14, which Zone is for convenience fh'ereinafter referred to as the flank of the can end. In accordance with this invention wax 28 Ais applied `to the flank in precise position.

The apparatus employed in accordance with' the-present invention is mounted on abase plate 31 whichi's' vertically positioned -adjacent the liner-drier (notshown) to receive ends 11 discharged therefromwithtrough v181facing forwardly. For such purpose a chute .32 having-a forwardly downwardly curved entrance 33 `and an -`elongated 'downwardly slanted portion 34 A-isprovidecL In cross-section chute 32 has -a back 36 having a width slightly greater than the diameter of can end 11 fand inwardly turned sides 37 forrnediin a reverse curve to provide front guides 38 spaced apart to provide access to the can ends in the chute in case of jamming and for observation. `Chute 32 is mounted on base plate 31 'by means of bracket 39 adjacent the top thereof.

Along the bottom edge of baseplate 31` is -a trough 41 or reservoir tank which receives wax and the wax-lis melted and held at-proper temperature by means of one or more heating elements 42 controlled by a'thermostat (not shown). Above the trough `is a pick-up disk 43 mounted for rotation on a horizontal stub-shaft 4'4 journalled in base plate 31 by means of bearing-46, the bottom edge of pick-up disk 43 dipping into trough-41 asit revolves. Ai pump 47, such Vas a diaphragm type automobile fuel'pump, is installed on ya vertical bracket I48 in trough V41 and driven from an eccentric 49 on shaft '44 which engages follower foot 51 connected'to-pump 47. The intake line 52 of the pumpdrawswaxffrom adjacent the bottom of reservoir tank 41 and the discharge tube 53 of pump 47 sprays'wax against the face of pick-'up disk 43. A doctor blade 54 is' mounted 'by means of bracket 56 on base plate 31 in a location above trough 41, the blade 54 being adjustable by-means of screw y57, as Well understood in this art, to regulate the thickness of wax carried around by pick-up disk 43. Asrshown particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the-periphery of disk'43 is formed with aconcave groove 58 which mates with a convex ridge 59 formed in the periphery of-tra'nsfer disk 61 mounted on stub shaft 62 which is also journaled in plate 31 by bearing 63. On the side of'transfer'disk 61 opposite pick-up disk 43 is applicator wheel 64 mounted on stub shaft 66 journaled in plate 31 by bearing 67. Applicator wheel 64 is substantially tangential to the lower end of slanted portion 34 of chute 32. The thickness of applicator Wheel 64 is substantially twice that of pick-up disk 43 and transfer disk 61 and the periphery is formed with a rear groove 68 which slants rearwardly inwardly to receive trough 18 of a can end. Slanting forwardly inwardly isa front groove 69which is filled with an annular rubber insert 71, the outer rearward edge 72 of which is shaped complementary to flank 17 of can end-11 and the outer forward edge 73 of which is beveled. Transfer disk 61 is mounted so that ridge 59 contacts-and transfers wax to edge 72 of rubber insert 71 complementary to ank 17. A second doctor blade 74 'is mounted on plate 31 by means of bracket 76 to remove from wheel 64-all wax not deposited on the can ends and thus to prevent-build-up of'wax. Forsuchpurpose blade 74 is located slightly ahead ofthe point of tangency of disk 61 and wheel 64.

An Velectric-motor 77 having la reduction gear"78" is mounted-on base plate31'and provided with a drive pul1ey79. VAtherrnostatic control (not shown)Y lmay be installed in reservoir 41 or connected into the `lead wires of. .motor `77 4to `prevent Ioperation of the ydevice except when the temperature of the wax in reservoir 41 is proper. The ends of shafts 44, 62 and 66 behind base plate 31 are provided with suitably dimensioned drive pulleys 81a, 81b, 81C. A belt `82 is reeved around drive pulley 79 and driven pulleys 81a, [pcg-thereby causing disks 43, 61 and 64 to revolve in the directions indicated by arrows in Fig. fl jand at Lsubstantially identical peripheral speeds. In order-to maintain the .Wax improper molten condition, an .elongated tiibetype radiant heaterSS is 'installed 'behind shield 83 and supported at proper elevation by bracket 84Nattached to base plate 31. Heater 33 maintains disks473,f'61 ard =64atproper temperature so that the wax remains Afsuhstantially :at thesame temperature as in reservoir 41.

In order to cause engagement of flank 17 of can end 11 with edge 72 of rubber insert 71, an arcuate shaped strip-idf leather b'elting '86 iis suspended from base plate 31-by-frr'1eans-'of bracketsl87 which: are U -Shaped in crosssection and to prevent-canend `1f1from falling forwardly away?frombaseplate'l fa-ise'cond'pieceof leather belting 88 :is heldvinlplac'e by b'rackets '87. Intermediate the threelbrackets' 87-ares`tops'89 whit-:hilirnit outward movement-:f belting 86.

Accordingly, inloperationheaters 42 in trough 41 are adjustedbythermostatic-control to maintain the vwax at the proper melting temperaturean'd the radiant heater 85 maintains disks 43, v61,164 at -a -similar temperature so that the wax'doesnotf solidify prior to application to the ends. Motor 377 is nstarted-when the waxhas heated to proper temperature, vldr-ivingdisks 43, 61, -64 and also causing pump "47=topump moltenwax through outlet 53 against the-face-of-pi'ck-up disk'l43. First doctor blade 54 wipes the excess lvwaxfrom Adisk Y`43 andf hence only a thin coatings-'earried'aroun'd todisk v'61. Transfer disk 61 rolls WaXbtO akportion 72-of rubber insert'71 on applicator? roll `64. As can ends V11 are discharged from the liner-drier, they `roll down chute 32. with troughs 18 facing forward and at the end-lof chute 32 contact'the tangentially"disposed Yapplicator roll 64 inthe tilted positionshown'iuFig. 3,`troughs 18 falling into rear groove 68. "Ends-llare held in position by belting't and 88. Therstleather belting'S causes ank 17 of end 11 to come into firm4 engagement with complementary portion 72 of rubber'kinsert'71 in transfer disk 64, while 'the Second-leather belting 8S'preventsthe end from falling away from diski64. The 'ends'are dischargedat the lower end'of *belting y38 and are conveyed away in the same manner Vras v"ends are rconveyed from liner-driers. The second doctor blade 7'4 wipes" the excess wax from transferdisk 64 so that build-upof Wax is prevented.V

"`When"end'11 is Apositioned on open, hanged end '.26 of canbody l23 ('-see Figs. "5 and 7),'wax 23 protects the surfaces ofv end lland tbody 2.3".from scratching or other abrasion. 'Whenthe'doubleseaiming operation is cariied out ('see Fig. 7), the waXZS' continues Vsuch protection andyalso lubricates the flexing of the adjacent parts. Wax V2'8 forms a" protective coating at themost critical portion of seam VZ7, thereby resisting corrosion by the contents of the can.

Although'the foregoing linventionhas been described infsoine Vdetailbywvay of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understandingit is understood that certain changes and modifications maya-'be practiced within the spirit of the inventionandscope of Ytheappended claims. Y

lI -claimz 1. In a machine for applying wax to `a predetermined position lon-lthe ilauk`v offa can end, an applicator-wheel, means forr'rotatingfsaidfapplicator.wheel, aireservoir for molten "fwax, lrnea'nsr .Ifor 'tra'r'isferring "molten -wax from saidre's'ervirftof saidapplioatorwheel, means for guiding can fen'tls'linto 'position i their Hanks-in' contact" with said applicator wheel, means for biasing said ends into engagement with said applicator Wheel, said applicator wheel being formed with a peripheral groove, and a resilient insert in said groove, said insert engaging the flanks `of said can ends to apply wax to said ilanks.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said applicator wheel is formed with a second peripheral groove shaped to receive the trough of a can end to locate said can end with said ank in contact with said insert.

3. In a machine for applyingwax to a predetermined position on the ank of a can end, an applicator wheel, means for rotating said applicator Wheel, a reservoir for molten wax, means for transferring molten wax from said reservoir to said applicator wheel, means lfor guiding can ends into position with their flanks contact with said applicator wheel, an annular resilient member carried by said yapplicator wheel and engaging the flanks ot can ends to apply wax to said iianks and a second resilient member shaped in arcuate configuration disposed around a portion of the periphery of said applicator wheel and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the diameter of a can end, said second resilient member engaging one edge of said can ends to hold said can ends in engagement with said applicator wheel.

4. In a machine for applying wax to a predetermined position on the iiank of a can end, an applicator wheel, means for rotating said applicator wheel, a reservoir for molten wax, means for guiding can ends into position with their flanks in contact with said applicator wheel, means yfor ibiasing said ends into engagement with said applicator wheel, a heating element in said reservoir, a pump having its intake connected into said reservoir, a rst disk, a second disk in contact with said flrstdisk and in contact with said applicator wheel, the discharge of said pump being positioned to discharge molten wax pumped from said reservoir onto the surtace of said iirst disk, and means for rotating said disks and applicator wheel.

5. A machine according to claim `4 which further comprises a radiant heating element in proximity to said disks and applicator wheel to maintain said disks and Wheel at a temperature above the melting point of the Wax.

6. In a machine for `applying wax to a predetermined position on the ilank of a can end, an applicator Wheel,

. means for rotating said applicator Wheel, -a reservoir for molten Wax, means for transferring molten wax from said reservoir to said applicator wheel, means for guiding can ends into position with their flanks 4in contact with saidl applicator wheel, a resilient member shaped in arcuate lconfiguration disposed around a. portion of the periphery of said applicator Wheel and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the can end, said member engaging one edge o-f said'can ends to hold said can ends in engagement with said applicator wheel, a second resilient member disposed in arcuate conformation in proximity to but spaced `from said applicator Wheel and disposed parallel to the plane of rotation of said applicator Wheel, said second member engaging said can ends to align said can ends in proper angular relationship to said applicator wheel with said iianks in contact with said Wheel.'

References Cited in the le of this patent n UNITED STATES PATENTS 

